Phonographic record changer



Jan. 28, 1941. ERWQQb 2,230,106

PHONOGRAPHIC RECORD CHANGER Filed Feb. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 a 5g 5 @ELUO Li Jan. 28, 1941. J. ERWOOD PHONOGRAPHIC RECORD CHANGER Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1D, 1940 J. ERWOOD PHONOGRAPHIC RECORD CHANGER Jan. 28, 1941.

Filed Feb. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 MIN Q Q? 4 E Jan. 28, 1941. ERWQQD) 2,230,106

PHONOGRAPHIC RECORD CHANGER Fil ed Feb. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 sracwor RECORDS Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHONOGRAPHIC RECORD CHANGER Joseph Erwood, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Erwood Sound Equipment Company, Chicago, 111., a I

corporation of Illinois Application February 10, 1940, Serial No. 318,301

5 Claims.

and therefore, the greater the cost is to the consumer. Furthermore, certain record changers which are in use today leave much to be desired because certain portions of the record changing mechanism are continuously moving even during ord changers also suffer from the disadvantage that several adjustments are necessary in order to play different sized records. Others require a relatively large cabinet.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new and improved type of phonographic record changer which is compact, simple in operation and inexpensive to build.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a new and improved type of phonographic record changer in which the principal actuating members of the record changing mechanism are idle while the record is being played.

Still another object of this invention is to pro- .vide a new and improved phonographic'record changer of the character described in which only a single manual adjustment is necessary in order to change from one sized record to another and which, adjustment does not require a change in the blades that actually separate and cause the records to be brought into playing position.

A more specific object and feature of the in- W vention is the provision of a new and improved means for lifting the tone arm during the period when a record is being changed.

Still another specific object and feature of the invention is the provision of a new and improved way of driving the record changer blades.

Another more specific object and. feature of the invention is the provision of a new and improved mechanism associated with the record graphic record changer made in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the phonographic record changer shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view with parts broken away taken through the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and showing the various parts of the record changer with the tone arm in starting position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to the view shown in Figure 3 but with the various parts of the record changing mechanism shown in the positions which they will occupy when the playing'of the record has just been completed and the record changing mechanism has just begun to function;

Figure 5 is a view looking up from the bottom of Figure 2 taken through the line 5--5 of Fi ure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the record changer blades showing. the position of these blades in supporting a stack of records while a record is being played or when the record changing mechanism is not being actuated;

Figure 6a is a cross section taken through the line 60-431: of Figure 6; Y

Figure 7 is a view in perspective showing the position of the record changing blades when the record changing mechanism is in operation just after a record has been dropped;

Figure la is a cross section through line 'la'la of Figure 7;

Figure 8 is a sectional 'view taken through the line 88 of Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view taken through the line 99 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the lift cam and lift member as well as the guide arm and guide cam which serve to lift and guide the tone arm during a record changing operation;

Figure 11 is a view in perspective of an eccentrie driving mechanism for actuating the record changer blades; t

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of the record changer blade shown in Figures 6 and 7, taken along l2-I2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 13 is a view taken through'line l3-l3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a detailed cross section taken through the line I 4l4 of Figure 3. I

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3; the apparatus illustrated comprises a cam carrier 2 which, as shown, is preferably substantially horizontally disposed. Cam carrier 2 is provided on its upper face with a lift cam which comprises an ele vated cam path 4 extending substantially around said cam carrier and with a curved depression 6 in a portion thereof. As shown in Figure 3, cam carrier 2 has a guide'cam track 8 formed on the upper surface thereof. A tone arm I0 is rotatively pivoted from a post l2 above said cam carrier 2, as shown in Figure 2. Passing through post I2 is a lift member or pin it engaging at its upper end with tone arm I0 and at its lower end riding on cam path 4, thereby causing tone arm ID to be raised and lowered in response to variations in the elevation of the lift cam or cam path 4. Around the lift member or pin I4 is a sleeve l6 which is also within post I2 and which is connected at its upper end in such a way that it rotates with the rotation of tone arm l6 and which at its lower end is connected with guide arm I8, the latter being shown from above in Figure 3 and in detail in Figure 10. Thus any rotation or swinging movement of the tone arm I0 causes a rotation or swinging movement of guide arm l8 and vice versa.

On 'the inner end of guide arm I8 is a guide cam roller 28 which is adapted to run in guide cam track 8, shown in Figure 3, while a record is being changed. The cam carrier 2 is driven from a rotating turntable shaft 22 which extends means 28 may be either friction or a gear drive,-

or any other suitable, type of drive. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown, peripheral driving means 28 is a rubber band or a belt which extends around the entire periphery of cam carrier 2 except for a gap 38 shown in Figure 3. While a record is being .played, as previously indicated, the driving means or pinion 26 is out of engagement with the friction belt 28 and therefore the rotation of turntable shaft 22 is not imparted to cam carrier 2 and the latter remains stationary.

The rotation of cam carrier 2 is initiated in the following manner. Connected beneath pinion 26 is a pin or projecting member 32 which rotates with pinion 26 and shaft 22. On the under side of cam carrier 2 is aflixed apawl 34 pivoted at point 33 which is normally pressed outwardly by means of a spring 36 but which is held by a catch 38 hooked against a pin 40. The projecting member 32 and the pawl 34 are herein referred to as initiating members. When catch 38 is released from pin 40 pawl 34 moves outwardly sufliciently far. to enable projecting member or-pin 32 rotating with pinion 26 to' engage pawl 34. at point 42 thereby causing cam carrier 2 to begin to rotate and moving it sufiiciently far to permit pinion or driving means 26 on shaft 22 to engage peripheral driving means 28 on cam carrier 2. Once the rotation is started in this manner it continues by the continued engagement of pinion 26 and peripheral driving means 28. A raised portion 4| on the upper face of pawl 34 acts as a stop to prevent pawl 34 from swinging farther out than necessary and also stops themovement of catch 38.

The positions of the various portions of the mechanism just after rotation begins are shown in Fi u e 4. As rotation proceeds pawl 34 is reset when it strikes against re-setting pin 44 and it is held in place by the re-engagement of catch 38 with pin 40, the latter being in turn attached to pawl 34.

The catch 3a which is on the under side of camcarrier 2 is fixed rigidly to a shaft 46 extending through to the upper part of cam carrier 2 and also rigidly connected on the upper side [6 is just beyond the dotted position Illa, shown in Figure l, the pawl 34 will be tripped and the cam carrier 2 will begin to rotate, as shown in Figure 4.

Beneath cam carrier 2 is an eccentric 54, as shown in Figure 5, around which is an eccentric drive 56 integral with an arm 58 connected to a pitman 60 which serves to drive or move changer blades 62, 64, 66 and 68.

Each set of changer blades is attached by means of a collar or other suitable means to a shaft, changer blades 62 and 64 being attached to shaft 18 and changer blades 66 and 68 being attached to shaft I2. The manner of this attachment is more clearly shown in. Figures 6, 6a,

'7, 7a, 12 and 13. It will be observed that a lever connects an arm 16 which in turn is attached to shaft 12 with an arm 18 connected to shaft 18, whereby any movement imparted to pitman 60 by means of eccentric 54 through arm 58 is transmitted in like manner through lever 14 to changer blades 62 and 64.

The eccentric 54 and cam carrier 2 are mounted in fixed relationship so that the rotation of cam carrier 2 about its central axis on a shaft likewise causes eccentric 54 to rotate about said shaft. A fixed relationship may be maintained in any suitable manner, for example, by

' keying the eccentric to the cam carrier or to a collar which forms'a part of the cam carrier.

As will be observed in Figure 5, eccentric 54 is surrounded by a drive member 56 and is free to move within said drive member. The relationship between these two members may be maintained in any suitable manner. For example, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, an annular member 82 and a second similar annular member 84 may be screwed or riveted or otherwise attached to the upper and lower sides, respectively, of eccentric drive 56. Members 82 and 84 are of sufficient width to overlap eccentric 54. In this way eccentric 54 and eccentric drive 56 are held in movable relationship with respect to each other. It will be understood, however, that any, other convenient method may be employed maintaining this relationship. For example, the rim of eccentric 54 may be shaped so as to fit into a complemental recess on the inner face of eccentric drive 56 in such a way thateccentric 54 rides on a portion of arm 56 which also keeps eccentric 54 from moving downwardly. Upward movement may be prevented by means of a series of washers in the'lower face of eccentric drive 56 overlapping the lower face of eccentric 54.

Referring again to Figures 5 and 11, one of the features of the invention shown therein may be termed a pressure release which comprises an elongated slot 86 in drive arm 58 and a plate the under side of 88 having a similar slot 90. A bolt, stud or rivet 92, which is fastened to eccentric drive arm 58, projects through slot 90 and is constructed that plate 88 may move back and forth guided by bolt 92 and slot 90. A spring 64 is fastened to bolt 92 at one end and to plate 88 at the other end in such a way as to normally urge plate 88 recede, thereby causing the connecting member' 88 to move in groove 88 in a direction toward eccentric 54 and preventing any damage to the mechanism or the records.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, another feature of the invention is the provision of an outwardly extending cam surface 98 on cam carrier 2 which is preferably abovethe rubber belt 28 or other drive means, as shown. In this outwardly extending cam portion is a recessed portion I00 into which is adapted to fit a cam roller I02. Cam roller I02 is carried by an arm I04 which is pivoted on a pin I08. The opposite end of arm I04 is attached to a spring I08 which normally tends to press roller I02 inwardly. This inward movement is limited, however. by a set screw IIO which is normally so adjusted that cam roller I02 will strike against the raised cam portion 98 but not against the remainder of the periph- .ery of cam carrier 2, thereby preventing any undue wear either on roller I02 or on the periphery of cam carrier 2. Recess I00 and the slope of cam portion 88 are preferably so constructed that the roller I02 enters recess I00 rather sharply and leaves it more gradually. By entering recess I00 sharply, roller I02 gives cam carrier 2 a final push which is necessary to center gap 30 opposite pinion or drive member 28. By leaving recess I00 relatively gradually the starting of cam carrier 2 during a record changing operation is made easier and the rolling of cam roller I02 part way down the incline of cam portion 98 tends to aid the starting movement. Thus it will be seen that this arrangement not only insures that cam carrier 2 will be stationary during the playing of a record, but it also causes gap 30 to be centered opposite pinion 26.and assists the action of pinion 32 against pawl 34 in starting'the cam carrier 2.

Still a further feature of this invention is to be found in the manner in which different sized records may be played with only a single simple adiustment. InFigure 1 it will be noted that there is aslide button II2 adapted to move in a slot II4. Movement of this button determines I ,the point at which the tone arm I0 will be placed on the record. In the embodiment herein shown, when the button I I2 is in the position illustrated in Figure 1, the tone arm I0 is setv to play a 12-inch record. When the button H2 is moved to the opposite end of slot I 4, it is set to play a' 10-inch record. Button H2 is directly connected to a lever IIG as shown in Figure 3.- Lever'IIG in turn is connected to an arm H8 at point I20. Arm H8 is pivoted at point I22 so that any movement of lever H6 which is imparted thereto by button H2 is transmitted to arm H8 and causes the latter to move. Arm

I I8- contains a projecting stop member I24 which is withdrawn from its position shown in Figure 3 when arm H8 is moved in a counterclockwise direction. When this occurs, plate I28 becomes the stop member and the record changing mechanism will now play a 10-inch record. As

shown in Figure 3, it is set to play a 12-inch record.

The position of stop members I24 and I28 makes it possible to play a selected size record merely by moving button II2 because'of the fact that a pin I28, which is more clearly shown in Figures 8, 10 and 14, impinges against one or the other of these stop members. Pin I28 is fastened to a strip of spring metal I30 which in turn is fastened by means of a screw, rivet or other suitable means I32 to a flanged member I34 disposed on the under side of guide arm I8 and pivoted at point I36. Flanged member I34 is preferably connected at its opposite end I38, as shown in Figure 10, to lift pin I4. It is not absolutely essential that the portion I38 of flanged member I34 be connected to lift pin I4 as long as it is free to ride up and down, but for positive action it is preferable that such a connection be made, as, for example, in the manner shown in Figure 10, so that flanged member -to .operate as shown in Figure. 4, the pin I28 is spring pressed upwardly against stop plate I26. As cam carrier 2 continues to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, lift member I4 rises out of recess 8 onto the top of lift cam 4 and thereby causes flanged member I34 to likewise rise until the flanges thereof fit over guide arm I8. With continued rotation of cam carrier 2 in a counterclockwise direction the cam roller 20 on guide arm I8 moves along the internal cam 8. At the same time pin I28 is pressed upwardly by spring metal strip I30 against stop plate I26 but as cam roller 20 continues to move along internal cam 8, pin I 28 moves over stop plate I28 in the direction of stop plate I24.

At the same time the tone arm I0 is swinging outwardly and when it reaches a point in its outward swing directly above the point where it would-start to play a 12-inch record, the pin I28 passes over stop I24 and the spring metal strip I30 causes pin I 28 to move upwardly, as shown in dotted line in the cross sectional view in Figure 14 taken along the line I4-I4 of Figure 3, thereby preventing the tone arm I0 from going in an inward direction and directly setting the point at which the tone arm will eventually set down to play the record. At this time the cam roller 20 is approximately at point I40, as shown in Figure 4, and is now entering the closed portion of internal cam 8 thereby continuing the swing of tone arm I0 outwardly and keeping it outside of the record while the record changing operation is taking place.

' When the record changing operation is completed tone arm I0 begins to move inwardly again as cam roller 20 reachespoint I42 and the inward movement continues until lift member I4 reaches the recess 6 in lift cam 4, at which point the tone arm begins to drop gradually on the record, the rate at which it drops depending upon the slope or incline of cam recess 6 shown in perspective in Figure 10. Just prior to this time or contemporaneously, the roller 20 in cam track 8 begins to move against member I44 which is pivoted at point I48, and pressed inwardly by a spring us. With a 12-inch record setting, the

'I34 must necessarily drop when lift member or bottom of recess 6. A raised area I I is provided to keep roller 20 away from spring, I48 in the event anyone turns the turntable backwards. When lift member I4 finally reaches thebottom of recess 6, the stylus carried by the tone arm I0 is now on the record, guide plate I44 has i been pressed back to position by spring I48, cam

carrier 2 is stopped and the mechanism is, in the position shown in Figure 3. As soon as lift pin I4 drops into the bottom of recess 6, as shown in Figures 3 and 10, the stop pin or detent I28 is pulled downwardly so that pin I28 is no longer in the dotted position against stop plate I24 shown in Figure 14, and the guide arm I8 is now free to move inwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to'the position shown in Figure 4 while the record is playing. As soon as the position shown in Figure 4 is reached, the cycle is repeated and a new record is dropped into position. If it is desired to play a 10-inch record, then by'moving stop I 24 out of the way by means of lever H6 and arm II8 the detent I28 operates against stop I26 andpermits the tone arm to set down on the record at a point farther inward.

To summarize, as shown in Figure 3, when a 12 inch record is being played the detent or stop I28 will lodge against the projecting member I24 of arm II8 to prevent inward movement of the tone arm beyond the initial grooves of the record. As previously indicated, however, arm II8 is pivoted around pivot I22 and when arm II6, actuated by button II2 (Figure 1) is moved to the right, arm II8 will move around pivot I22 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby also moving the projecting portion or stop member I24 and permitting the detent'or stop I28- to move.

further inwardly until it lodges against plate I26.. In this latter position the tone arm I0 will be above theinitial grooves for a 10 inch record. It will be undertsood, of course, that the plate I26 and the pivot I22 are fastened to the motor board A.

Turning to Figures 6, 6a, 7, 7a, 12 and l3, reference will now be made to the operation of the record changer blades s2, s4, 66 and.

As illustrated,'two pairs of blades are employed although three or more pairs may be used if desired. The idea, of providing several pairslof blades of this general type in order to support a stack of records and to separate and dispense these records one at a time into playing position from the bottom of the stack is not in itself new,

but the specific type of mechanism employed for' this purpose is believed to bean improvement upon existing or previously proposed mechanisms of this type in that it causes more positive action andv when employed in conjunction with the actuating mechanism'previously described makes it possible to dispense a stack of either 10-inch or 12-inch phonographic records into playing position without making an adjustment of the record changer blades each time astack of different sized records is used- In other words, the only adjustment necessary is the movement f button II2 shown in Figure 1, the operation of. whichhas been .previously'described. v v

In Figure 6 the record changer blades 66 and 68 are shown in the positions which they occupy when another record is being played and when the record changing mechanism is not in operation. It will be observed that the lower blade 68 is supporting a stack of records while the upper blade 66 is held outward away-from the stack. The relationship of the two blades is such that blade 66 when the mechanism'is operated, will pass inwardly ata point approximately between the lowermost record and the next succeeding record. It: will be understood that the other pair of blades 62 and ,64-occupy a similar relationship and what is said with respect to blades 66 and 68 also applies to blades- 62 and 64. When the record changing mechanism is in operation, blade's66 and 68 move clockwise from the position shown. in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 7 so that the upper biade66 passes between the lowermost record and the next succeeding record, and indoing so serves to support the remainder of the stack of records while the lower blade 68, moving in substantially fixed relationship with blade 66, moves away from the bottom of thelowermost record and permits said record to drop. The

record is guided while it falls by central shaft 22, shown in Figure 2, and the fall is broken to a large extent by the compression of the air beneath the record. I

Referring more particularly to Figure 6, the changer blade 68 is integral with a sleeve I52 which fits around shaft I2. Blade 66 fits loosely above blade 68 on shaft I2. At the top of shaft I2 is a collar I54 which limits the upward movemerit of blade 66. Running through shaft 'I2.is a pin I56 which is adapted to fit into a recess I58 in the lower part of sleeve I52. A cross sectional view taken along the line 60-61! of Figure 6 is shown in Figure 6a. Any rotation of shaft I2 is imparted to sleeve I52 and in turn to blade 68 by means of pin I56. Changer blade '66 has any movement of blade 68 imparted to it by means of a pin, bolt or other pivoting member I60 which passes through the rear portion of blade 66 in the manner shown in Figure .l2. Pin I60 is mounted in an element I62 which. in

- turn is fastened to or is integralwith changer blade 68, Element I62 is provided with a recessed portion I64 which substantially prevents wobbling from side to side of blade.

It will be observed from Figure 12 that separating changer blade 66 is not pivoted on shaft I2 but on pivot I60 due to the fact that it fits only very loosely around shaft 12. In. fact the hole I 66 in separating changer blade 66 through which shaft, I2 passes is preferably more or less I elliptical in shape, as shown in Figure 7a in order to insure that blade 66 'will pivot with a slight upward movement around post or pivot I60 rather than around shaftl2. A set screw I68 may be providedto limit the movement of blade 66 if desired. Between blade 66 and blade 68 is a pair of sloped member's I10 and H2 sloping in opposite directions, member I10 being affixed to I separating changer blade 66 and member "2 being affixed to stack supporting changerblade 68. The arrangement of these members is such ment I10 attached to blade 66 begins to ride up the slope of element I12 attached to blade 68 side movement. In the event, therefore, that that as blade 68 begins to rotate the sloped'ele-v 9 the records are of different thicknesses, as is the case with 10-inch and 12-inch records, or in the event that .the records are warped the member 86, while rising, will gradually pass between the lowermost record and the next succeeding record. This particular arrangement makes it unnecessary to adjust the changer blades for playing different sized 1 records, even though there may be considerable variation in the thickness of the records. For instance, it is well known that a 10-inch record is normally about .080 inch thick while a 12-inch record maybe from .090

' to .110 inch thick. The limit of the upward movement of separating blade 66 is determined by collar I54. A set screw I14, as shown in Figure 12, may be provided to set the initial height of the blade. A cap I16 is also preferably provided in order to enclose the top of the mechanism.

When it is desired to remove records that have been played, the sleeve I52 is raised so as to clear pin I 56. As soon as pin I56 is cleared both blades can be swung out of the way of the records. Each pair of blades is swung out of the way in this manner and the played records can then be removed. Thereafter each pair of blades is swung back into position and a new stack of records may be loaded on shaft 22. It is immaterial whether the records are all 10-inch records or all 12-inch records, because the apparatus will play either type of record equally well, regardless of the difference in the thickness of the records, provided, however, that the slide button I I2, shown in Figure 1, is in the proper position as previously described.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a manually operated lever I18, shown in Figure 5. This lever may be controlled from a sliding button similar to button I I2, or in any other suitable manner. In one end of the lever I18 is a slot I 88 which engages with a pin I82 that in turn is fixed to an arm I84. Arm I84 is fixed to a second arm I86 which is adapted to engage a pin I88 on another arm I90, the latter arm being a continuation of arm 48, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit the record changing apparatus to be started at any time by manual operation. For instance, when a stack of records is first loaded onto the record changing blades'thmovement of lever II8 will actuate arm I84 which in turnactuates arm I86, and the latter in turn actuates arm I88, thereby causing catch 38, shown in Figures 3 and 4, to be tripped and releasing pawl 34 so that the projecting member 32 catches against the edge of the pawl 34 and starts the rotation of cam carrier 2 in the manner previously described. Likewise, if the user wishes to reject a particular record and play another record. the movement of manually controlled lever I18 will accomplish the result in a similar manner. Manually controlled lever H8 is restored to position by a spring at point I82 which pulls arm I84 against stop I9I, or in any other suitable manner.

No detailed explanation has heretofore been given of particular elements upon which the described members are assembled because it is believed that anyone skilled in the art will readily recognize the :manner of the assembly from an examination of the drawings. In general, the various mechanisms described are mounted upon two plates, namely, plate A, above which is the turntable 24, and the record changer plate mechanisms B and C, as well as the tone arm I8 and studs or shafts.

the post I2. Also above plate A is the drive D which rotates turntable 24 through a wheel E.v .This particular type of drive mechanism is old and well known in the art and while this type of drive mechanism is generally preferred from the standpoint of the present invention it would also be possible to drive the center shaft 22 directly from the motor instead of first driving the turntable which in turn drives the center shaft 22.

Below the plate A is the motive means F which in the case of the present invention is preferably an electric motor. The other principal means for holding the various parts of the mechanism in their positions is a lower plate G. As shown in Figure 2, substantially all of the actuating mechanisms heretofore described are held in place between plate A and plate G by means of bolts,

Inasmuch as a detailed description of these members would unnecessarily complicate the explanation of the invention and would in any event be apparent to those skilled in the art, no such description is believed to be necessary.

The operation of the automatic phonographic record changer will now be described in detail. Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 8, a stack of records is placed in position on the record changer blade mechanisms generally illustrated at B and C. At this time the tonearm I0 may be resting on a post II shown in Figure 2, or it may be in any other position. The lever "8, shown in Figure 5, is pushed inwardly thereby moving arm 48 and disengaging catch 38 from pin 40. This starts the rotation of cam carrier 2 in the manner already described with reference to Figure 4. It will be understood that prior to this time the motor F is started by any suitable means so that the shaft 22 is being rotated by turntable 24 and pinion 26, which is keyed to said shaft, is likewise rotating in the direction of rotation of the turntable which in the present case is clockwise.

Let us assume that the tone arm II] was initially in the position shown in full line in Figure 1, then the actuating mechanism for the record changer and for moving the tone arm out of the way while a record is being changed is in the position shown in Figure 3. In this position the tone arm is down, but as soon as cam carrier 2 begins to rotate, the lift member I4, as shown in Figure 8, will begin to ride out of the depression 8 up onto the elevated portion of track 4, which runs around the upper face of cam carrier 2. As lift member I4 rises it will raise the tone arm I0 because the latter is pivoted on a pivot I5. It will also be recalled that tone arm I0 is capable of rotating or swinging around a sleeve.

I6 mounted in post I2 and that sleeve I6 is attached to a guide arm I8 by means of a set screw I9 or any other suitable means, as shown in detail in Figure 10.

Guide arm I8 is provided with a guide roller 20. Asthe rotation of cam carrier 2 continues, guide arm 20 is guided into internal cam track 8 in the top of the cam carrier 2. This causes guide arm I8 to turn sleeve I6 thereby swinging tone arm III in an outward direction to the position I0b shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. All of the time that cam carrier 2 is rotating, eccentric 54 is likewise moving and as it moves in eccentric drive 56 it actuates arm 58 which in turn actuates pitman 60, as shown in Figure 5. As

pitman 60 turns it moves shaft I2 and simultasimultaneously. Prior to this actuation the relative positions of both sets of changer blades is as shown in Figure 6, but as the eccentric 54 moves, the lower changer blade in each pair begins to move out from beneath the lowermost record in the stack of records. The upper changer blade which might be called the separating blade, moves in fixed relationship with the lower changer blade in each pair in the manner already described,

thereby separating the lowermost 'record from the next succeeding record and at the same time supporting the stack of records so that as each of the lower changer blades moves out from underneath the stack the lowermost record will drop and the remainder of the stack will be supported by the upper changer blades. At this point the eccentric 54 has reached its maximum drive in one direction and the drive of pitman 60 is reversed as eccentric 54 begins to pull arm 58 in the opposite direction. Thereupon the upper changer blades and the lower changer blades both move in reverse directions in substantially fixed rela tionship until the position shown in Figure 6 is again reached. At this point the lower changer blades will again be supporting a stack of records and the upper changer blades will be in position to separate another record from the stack when the actuating mechanism is again started. Also at this point the cam carrier 2 and the eccentric 54 cease to move as the gap 30 in the cam carrier shown in Figure 3 reaches a point opposite pinion 26. The pinion 26 is now out of engagement with the rubber friction belt 28 or other drive means that may be employed so that cam carrier 2 can no longer rotate. The pin 32 is now projecting into gap 30 but cannot start the movement of cam carrier 2 because pawl 34 is held out of the path of pin 32 by means of .catch 38 and pin 40 in the manner already described. The record is now ready to play.

When the record begins to play, the lift member I4 is at the bottom of depression 6, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, and the position of all of the elements of the apparatus is as shown in Figure 3. The flanged member I34 on guide arm I 8-is down causing pin I28 to be pulled down, as shown in Figure 8. As the record plays, roller 20 moves from the position shown in Figure 3 toward the center post 80 of cam carrier 2 approaching the position shown in Figure 4. The remainder of the parts of the apparatus remain substantially as shown in Figure 3. The cam roller I02 is in recess I00. The lift member I4 still remains down as shown in Figure 10. The pin I28 is down, as shown in Figure 8.

As soon as the record is completed the stylus traveling in the grooves at the end of the record causes tone arm I0 to move inwardly to approximately position I0a at which point guide arm I8 strikes against set screw 52 and moves arm 48 which in turn disengages catch 38 from pin 40 thereby releasing pawl 34 and permitting the portion 42 of pawl 34, shown in Figure 3, to project into the path of moving pin 32. Thereupon pin 32, which is rotating clockwise in the same direction as the record turn-table, moves against pawl 34 and starts cam carrier 2 rotating in a counterclockwise direction. The position of the actuating mechanism is then as shown in Figure 4. Cam roller I02 has moved out of cam recess I00 in the raised peripheral cam 88 and is now rolling down the incline, as shown in Figure 4, thereby assisting in the starting operation. As soon as pinion26 engages with the friction belt 28 on the periphery of cam carrier 2, or with other suitable peripheral driving means, the rotation of cam carrier 2 about shaft 80 continues by direct drive from center shaft 22. After the cam carrier 2 has moved a shortdistance, pawl 34 strikes against post 44- which extends upwardly from bottom plate G, thereupon pawl 34 is pushed inwardly andpin 40 thereof.

is caught and held by catch 38. This occurs before the pin 32 has completed one turn.

As cam carrier 2 continues to rotatefrolleriiIZ is held away from the periphery of the cam carrier by means of set screw 0 acting on arm I02 which normally presses cam roller I02-in wardly due to the action of spring I08 In this way cam roller I02 does not lie. directly. against;

the periphery of cam carrier 2 andis not brought into action again until it leaves the projecting cam surface 98.

In the meantime lift member I4 has begunto A rise out of depression 6 thereby causing the tone arm I0 to rise from the-record and tone arm I0 is held in raised position as long as lift member I4 rides on the elevated portion of lift cam. 4.

When lift member u is riding on top of mt cam 4 the flanged member I34 which engages with lift member I4 at point I38 is pushed upwardly thereby causing pin I28 tobe pushed up-;- wardly but at this time pin I 28 is pressing against plate I26 and since plate I26 is solid at this point nothing happens except that pressure is being exerted against pin I28 by means of the spring metal strip I which is attached near one end to pin I28 and at the other end by means of a screw or rivet I32 to the lower side of flanged member I34, as shown in Figure 8.

As the movement of cam carrier 2 continues in a counterclockwise direction, cam roller 20 on the end of guide arm I8 is'guided against or into cam track 8 and thestop I28 moves beneath stop plate I26 from the general position shown in Figure 4 toward the general position shown in Figure 3. When the cam roller 20 is approximately at point I40, as shown in Figure 4, the stop I28 rides over the endof stop plate I24, assuming that the machine is set for playing a 12-inch record, or over the end of stop.

plate I26 if arm I8 has been pushed'back for playing a lO-inch record in the manner previously described. In the latter event,-the inward movement of the pin or detent I28 would take place somewhat sooner. In either event when this point is reached, the tone arm I0, although free to move outwardly is no longer free to move inwardly beyond the record starting position.

The cam roller 20 now continues in cam guide track 8 causing the tone arm I0 to swing farther out into position I0b, shown in Figure 1, at which point a new record will be deposited by the record changer blade through the elements actuated by the eccentric 54 in the manner already described. After the record' has been depositedthe cam roller 20 will begin to move inwardly again at point I42. At this point the lift member I4 is still riding on the top of cam 4 andz: 6

hence the tone arm is still raised, but thereafter the lift member I4 begins to gradually sink into the recess portion 6 and the tone arm begins to drop gradually toward the record playing posi-.

tion. Since guide arm and cam roller 20 cannot move any farther inwardly than the position fixed by detent I28, the cam roller 20 will beginto press against spring pressed guide member I44 which is pivoted at point I46 and normally pressed into the position shown in'Figure 4 by spring I48. This helps to maintain the position 76 6 01' guide arm I while the lift cam I4 is being gradually eased into the depression 0 and the tone arm I0 now'in the full line position shown in Figure 1 is being brought downwardly toward the record.

As tone arm I0 approaches the record, cam roller 20 slides oil the end I53 of spring pressed member I and the needle touches the record and begins to play when the position shown in Figure 3 is reached. At the same time, gap 30 is opposite pinion 26, catch 30 is holding pin 40 which in turn is holding pawl 30 out of the way of pin 32, and roller I02 has moved over the projecting guide surface 90 into recess I30 just at the moment that the pinion 20 has become disengaged from the drive belt 20. As roller I02 drops into recess I00 relatively abruptly it gives the final impetus or motion to cam carrier 2, thereby centering it and placing it in the position shown in Figure 3. The apparatus is now ready for another cycle of operations after the record has been played. Alternatively, if the user does not wish to play that particular record, lever I may be moved inwardly thereby causing pawl 34 to be tripped and again starting the rotation of the record changng mechanism.

The apparatus described has relatively few moving parts, the actions of which are simple and positive. The actuating mechanism for the record changing blades, including cam carrier 2 and eccentricjl, is stationary while the record is being played, as distinguished from commercially available devices of this type in which the actuating mechanisms continuously rotate and operation of the record changer blades depends upon the synchronization of certain engaging or connecting members with the rotating members at a predetermined time. In such mechanisms it often happens that if a predetermined engagement is missed for any reason the rotating parts must continue to rotate a substantial number of times before it is possible for the engagement to take place. In the present device, on the other hand, only one rotation of the cam carrier 2 is involved.

The present type of apparatus provides a very simple mechanism for changing from 10-inch to 12-inch records, or vice versa, without moving the changer blades. The same rotative means is utilized to raise the tone arm and to swing it tuating means stationary while a record is playing. The apparatus may be used with any of the usual types of phonographic mechanisms regardless of whether the central shaft is driven by a motor through the turntable as herein described, or by direct drive. Simple means are provided to keep .a record from breaking or to keep the mechanism from jamming in the event that a warped record jams against the changer blades. Simple means are provided to separate the changer blades while they are rotating during a record changing operation and thereby compensate for differences in the thickness of records, or for warpage. The latter means include among other things the pivoting of the upper or separating changer blade at a point back of the shaft carrying the lower changer .blade, thereby permitting greater leverageand avoiding to a greater extent the possibility of jamming the upper changer blades against the records.

The apparatus also provides for simplified means in starting the record changer actuating mechanism or in rejecting a record. The particular means for raising the tone arm which includes passing the lift member I4 directly through the pivot I2 around which the tgne arm I0 rotates, is believed .to represent a substantial improvement. Furthermore, the slope of the depression or recess 6 can be so regulated that the tone arm picks up twice as fact as it lets down on the record. This is accomplished by having a steeper slope on the pickup than when the tone arm is set down. The principle of varying slopes is also made use of in the recess I00 in the raised cam 98. In this case a slope of lesser degree is used to start the cam roller I02 out of the recess I00 when cam carrier 2 begins to rotate.

as the case may be, during certain portions of the record changing operation.

It will be understood that certain variationsand modifications may be made in the apparatus described without departing from the principles thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a phonographic apparatus having a movable record changer mechanism and a driving mechanism to drive the record changer, a mechanism to initiate the operation of the driving mechanism comprising a rotatable cam carrier operatively associated with the driving mechanism for driving the record changer, peripheral driving means on the periphery of said cam carrier, a gap in the peripheryof said cam carrier peripheral driving means, a driving member operatively associated with said cam carrier periphera1 driving means to drive said cam carrier except when opposite said gap, an initiating member comprising a projecting member operatively associated with said driving member and another initiating member operatively associated with said cam carrier comprising a pawl, said projecting member and said pawl being out of engagement with each other while a record is being reproduced but being en ageable with each other momentarily to initiate the rotation of said cam carrier sufliciently to cause said driving member to engage said peripheral driving means on said cam carrier, and means operatively associated with said initiating mechanism to bring said projecting member and said pawl into said momentary engagement with each other to initiate a cycle of rotation of said cam carrier and thereby to drive the record changer, said means comprising a spring normally urging said pawl in a direction to'engage said projecting memberfa catch to hold said pawl against the pressure of said spring out of engagement with said projecting member during the reproduction of a record, and means operatively associated with said catch to cause it to release said pawl into momentary engagement with said project-ing member.

2. In a phonographic apparatus having a movable record changer mechanism and a driving mechanism to drive the record changer, a mechanism to initiate the operation of the driving mechanism comprising a rotatable cam carrier operatively associated with the driving mechanism for driving the record changer, peripheral 65 ing member during the reproduction of a record, and means operatively associated with said catch 8 rier, a gap in the periphery oi. said cam carrier peripheral driving means, adriving member ope eratively associated with [said cam carrier peripheral driving means to drive said cam carrier except when opposite said gap, an initiating member comprising a mjecting member operatively associated with said driving member and another initiating member'operatively associated with said cam carrier comprising a pawl, said projecting member and said "pawl being out of engagement with each other while a record is being reproduced butbeing engageable with each other momentarily to initiate the rotation of said cam carrier sumciently to cause said driving member to engage said peripheral driving means on said cam carrier, and means operatively associated with said initiating mechanism to bring said projecting member and said pawl into said momentary engagement with each other to initiate a cycle of rotation of said cam carrier and thereby to drive the record changer, said means comprising a spring normally urging said pawl in a direction to engage said projecting member, a catch to hold said pawl against the pressure of said spring out of engagement with said projecting member during the reproduction of a record,

i means'operatively associated with said catch to sociated with saidinitiaiting mechanism to bring said projecting member and said pawl into said 4 momentary engagement with each other to inicause it to release said pawl into momentary en-. engagment with said projecting member, and' means engageable with said pawl to re-set said rier, a gap in the periphery of said cam carrier 1 peripheral driving means, a driving member operatively associated with said cam carrier pe-fl ripheral driving means to drive said cam carrier except when opposite said gap, an initiating member comprising a projecting member operatively associated with said driving member and another initiating member operatively associated with said cam carrier comprising a pawl, said projecting member and said pawl being out of engagement with each other while a record is being reproduced but being engageable with each,

other momentarily to initiate the rotation of said cam carrier sufliciently to cause said driving member to engage said peripheral driving means on said cam carrier, and means operatively astiate a cycle of rotation of said cam carrier and thereby to drive the record changer, said means comprising a spring normally urging'said pawl in a direction to engage said projecting member, a catch to hold said pawl against the pressure 01' said spring out of engagement with said projectto cause it to release said pawl into momentary able record changer mechanism, a movable tone engagement with said projecting member, said means to release said catch being responsive to manual actuation. Y

4. In a phonographic apparatus having a movarm' and a driving mechanism to drive the record changer and to move the tone arm, a mechanism to initiate'the operationot the driving mecha-;

nism comprising -a. rotatable cam carrieroperatively associated with the mechanism for driving the record changer and with the mechanism for moving the tone arm, said mechanism for moving the tone arm comprising anelevated cam track around the'outside oi the top of said cam carrier operatively associated with an element in turn operatively associated with the tone arm to cause the tonearm tobe raised and lowered in response to differences i-n the elevation of said j cam track, and an internal cam track onthe same side of said cam carrier as said elevated cam track operatively associated with an element fixed to said tone arm to guide said-tone arm laterally in response to the contour of said internal cam track, peripheral driving means on 1 the periphery of said cam carrier, a gap in the periphery of said cam carrier peripheral driving means, a driving member operatively associated with said cam carrier peripheral drivingimeans.

to drive said cam carrier exceptwhen opposite said gap, an initiating member operatively associated with said driving member and another initiating member operatively associated with said cam carrier, said initiating members being out 01' engagement with each other while arecord is being reproduced but being engageable with each other momentarily to initiate the rotation of said cam carrier sufilciently to cause said driving member to engage said peripheral driving means on said cam carrier, and means operatively associated with said initiating mechanism to bring said initiating members into momentary engagement with each other to initiate a cycle of rotaton of said cam carrier. and thereby to drive the record changerand move the tone arm.

5. In a phonographic apparatus having a movable record changer mechanism, a movable tone arm and a driving mechanism to drive the record changer andto move the tone arm, a mechanism to initiate the operation of the driving mechanism comprising a rotatable cam. carrier driving the record changer and with the mechanism for moving the tone arm. said mechanism for driving the record changer comprising anx eccentric wheel operatively associated beneath said cam carrier, peripheral driving means on the periphery of said cam carrier, a gap in the periphery of said cam carrier peripheral driving means, a driving member operatively associated with said cam carrier peripheral driving means to drive said cam carrier except when opposite said gap, an initiating member operatively associated with said driving member and another initiating member operatively associated with said cam, carrier, said initiating members being out of engagement with eachother while a record is being reproduced but being engagea ble witheach other momentarily to initiate the rotation of said cam carrier sufliciently to cause said driving member to engage said peripheral driving means on saidcam carrier, and means operatively associated with said initiating mechanism to bring said initiating members into momentary engagement wth each other to initiate a cycle of rotation of said cam carrier and thereby .to drive the record changer and move the tone arm.

JOSEPH ,ERWOOD.

45 operatively associated with the mechanism for 

